marcus



Aug- 11, 11935- L. A. MARCUS 2,051,006

, RECEPTACLE Y FilBd 0G12. 23, 1935 Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATE ,este

This invention relates to receptacles, and more particularly to that type of receptacle'commonly designated as a hamper or clothes hamper.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the above character, which is simple to manufacture, sturdy and durable in construction, and attractive in appearance. It is a further object of this invention to provide an inexpensive device of the above character which may serve as a bench or seat, thus forming a useful adjunct of the furnishings of the room in whichit may be kept. It is a further object to provide improved means for securingthe various elements of the device in assembled relationship. It is a further object to provide in a finished product a structure which will be of sufficient strength to withstand any of the ordinary stresses or strains to which it may be subjected over a long period of time.

Other objects will be in part obvious partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing,V vin which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of Y this invention,

Fig.` 1 isa plan view of the complete hamper;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional viewV of certain portions of the hamper showing various methods of assembling the parts;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is asectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view, partly in section, of one of the handles associated with the hamper.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of the invention, it may be here pointed cut that'in structure of this type heretofore constructed, there has been a uniform difficulty in obtaining a product which would present an attractive appearance and at the same time permit of ready assembly to the preclusion of loose connections between the various parts. In the instant invention a, device is provided which permits a relatively simple assembly and at the same time assures uniformly tight connect-ions throughoutJ and in a between the various parts in their assembled relationship. Further, the nished product is of unusual visual appeal, and great durability.

Referring now to the `drawing and more par-` ticularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a Vhamper is generally indicated at I0 having a plurality of side walls I I 5 (Fig. 1), preferably four in number, a bottom I3,

a top I4, and handle members I6. Corner members I'I are provided for holding side portions II in assembled relationship vin a manner to be more fully described hereinafter and appear in the l0 drawing. Y

Referring now to the side walls I I (see Fig. 2) it will be seen that these wallsextend upwardly to a point adjacent the top and thence outwardly as at I8, upwardly as at I9, inwardly as at 20, 15 and thence outwardly again as at 2l whereby to form a strong flange. This provides a recess therein to provide for the assemblyo-f the top Ill and the handle members I6 in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. lAt the bot- 20 toms of each of the side wall'srII isv anupwardly turned flange 22 adapted for interengagement with ar downwardly depending flange 23 which extends about theperiphery of bottom member Corner members Il, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, are provided with inwardly turned flanges 25 extending the entire length thereof. These flanges engage and interlock with outwardly turned portions 26 of the side walls I I, thus holding the parts more securely together. These individual members may be secured in any suitable manner as by spot welding or merely by frictional interengagement.

As shown in Fig. 5 the bottom portions of cor- 35v ner members I1 extend substantially below the bottom I3 and are compressed inwardly to form a circular section 21 to provide suitable bases for the hamper II). Ferrules 28 of rubber or other suitable material (see Figs. 1 and 2) are preferl0 ably superposed upon circular end portions 2'I in order to provide a resilient cushioning surface for supporting the hamperV and prevent marring of the floor.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the handles I6 may be of any desired shape or configuration, though preferably pro-vided with rounded corners at their upper portions to enhance the symmetrical appearance of the structure, and of a size to extend substantially the entire width of a side wall. .50 Suitable apertures 42 may be provided for engagement of the fingers although it will be readily understood that, if desired, the handles may be constructed in the form of a hollow shell, rr thereby to permit more convenient movement o from place to place. Regarding the handle from the side, it will be seen that grooves 3| are cut near the bottom thereof, providing an inset portion 29 and an extending portion 39 at the extreme bottom. Grooves 3| are adapted to engage the inwardly extending flanges of the front and rear side walls II. Regarding the handle from the end, as seen in Fig. 2, it will be seen that a transverse groove 32 is provided for engagement with the inwardly extending ange portions 20 and 2| of the other pair of side walls Il. It will thus be seen that a tight fit and frictional interengagement is secured between the handles I6 and side walls II by the coaction of grooves 3| and 32 and the ilange formed by curved portions 20 and 2|. Further securing means to hold the handle I6 adjacent the side walls II maybe provided in the form of screws 33 passing through holes 34 and engaging in the handle I6.

About the exterior periphery of each handle I6 a metallic band 35 is inset in a groove 36 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6) This band 35 extends into the groove 3| towards the lower portion of the handle I6 and may be heldin place by suitable securing means Asuch as brads 3'! (see Fig. 6). These metallic strips 35, besides providing attractive ornamentation for the peripheral surface of handles I6, also serve as reinforcement to prevent splitting or chipping of the handles I6 in the event they are made of wood.

Apertures 38 (see Fig. 6) are provided near the rear lower end of each handle I6 through which suitable screws 39 are passed, the endsof screws 39 being provided with lock washers 40, of chromium or other suitable brightly nished metal, as are also heads of screws 39, to provide a more attractive appearance. These screws 39 engage in the material of top member I4 at its opposite rear corners and thus furnish a suitable hinge for the top I4 whereby it Amay be raised about the axis formed by the line of the screws 39 and apertures 38, thus obviating the necessity of complex, vseparate hinge members. Suitable rubber bul'lers` 4I may be provided near the forward portion of top I4 on its lower surface to take up shock incident to the falling of the top.

The device is preferably constructed of metalV throughout, with the exception of the handles I6 and tcp I4 which are, in the preferred embodiment, constructed of wood or other suitable non-metallic material and the ferrules 28, which, as described, are preferably made of resilient material such as rubber. If desired, suitable apertures (not shown) may be provided in one of the side walls II, preferably at ythe rear, in order to provide adequate ventilation. The device may be painted in any suitable colors and a contrast may be formed by painting the metallic portions of one color and the wooden or nonmetallic portions of another. In the preferred embodiment the metallic strips 35, screws 39, and washers 49 are rust-proof and have a high finish as, for example, chromium-plate, in order to provide artistic enhancement. It will thus be seen that in the above disclosed invention there is provided a novel and attractive device of the character described, presenting many structural and artistic improvements over prior devices. The construction is of strong and substantial character and provides a seat or bench as well as a clothes hamper, thus becoming a desirable adjunct to bathroom equipment. The invention is believed to accomplish, among others, all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

As many possible embodiments may be made in the above invention andas many changes might be made in the embodiment set forth above, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I .claim as my invention:.

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, side walls bent outwardly and thence inwardly at their upper extremities and upwardly at their lower extremities, a bottom member having a downwardly extending flange about its exterior periphery and engaging with said upwardly bent portions of said side walls, handle members engaging with said inwardly turned portion, a top member hingedly associated with said handle members, and corner members engaging with and securing said Iside walls in receptacle `form.

2. In a device of the character described,l in combination, side walls anged at their side extremities, corner members `oppositely anged whereby to engage said iianges on said side walls. a, bottommember, said side walls and said bottom member so positioned as to form a receptacle, outwardly and then inwardly Vextending portions at the upper extremity of said side walls, handle members having grooves therein, said groovesuadaptedl to engage said inwardly extending portions of said side walls, and va top member associated with said handles and supported thereby.

3. In a device ofthe character described, in

combination, side walls flanged at their side extremities, `corner members oppositely anged whereby to engage said flanges on said side walls, a. bottom member, said side walls and'said bottom member so positioned :as to form a receptacle, outwardly andV then inwardly `extending portions at the upper extremity yof said side walls. handle members having Agrooves therein, said grooves adapted .to engage saidinwardly extending portions of said side walls, and a top member pivotally associated with said handles, said pivotal. .association being in substantial alignment at a .lateral extremity yof said handles whereby said top is hinged on said handles.

. 4. In a device of the Ycharacter described-in combination., side walls, corner members associated withsaid side walls in receptacle -formyal bottom member associated with said side walls, portions extending outwardly, thence upwardly,

thence inwardly at the upper extremity -of 'said sidewalls, corner pieces intertting about and ai`u`xed to said outwardly, upwardly and inwardly extending portions whereby to secure the corners of said device, handles interttingwith said inwardly extending portions, and .a to member associated with said handles.

5. In a device of the character described, inY combination, side walls, corner membersasso-y handles having grooves aboutv their exteriorperiphery, inset strip-like members in said grooves,

a second groove laterally extending near the base of said handles, said second groove intertting with said inwardly extending flange.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, side walls, a bottom associated with said side walls, corner members interengaging with and securing said side walls in receptacle form, handle members associated with said side walls, a top pivotally associated with said handles, said pivotal -association comprising screws passing through apertures in said handles and interengaging with said top member Whereby said top pivots about said screws and separate hinges are eliminated.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, side walls, a bottom associated with said side walls, corner pieces interlocking with said side walls and holding the same in receptacle form, outwardly extending portions adjacent the top of said side walls, portions extending upwardly and thence inwardly from said outwardly extending portions, handle members associated with said inwardly extending portions, and a top associated with said handles and adapted to rest upon said inwardly extending portions.

LEWIS A. MARCUS. 

